Gerald Wallace Turns In Powerful Effort In What He Called 'Must Win' Game

NEW YORK — Nets fans and players alike have been frustrated by the team's somewhat inconsistent play this season. Two steps forward, two steps back; that's been the mantra.

Gerald Wallace

Along the way, we have seen Avery Johnson and P.J. Carlesimo both employ different strategies to try to solve some of the team's woes, and the latest strategic initiative employed by Carlesimo has been to bench Kris Humphries.

The power forward spot is one thing that has been somewhat uncertain for Brooklyn this season, but one thing that Carlesimo seemed certain of was Gerald Wallace. On Tuesday, Wallace proved his coached correct.

Wallace earned the moniker "Crash" for a reason. He plays a reckless brand of basketball and is usually suffering at this point in the season because of it. Last week, Wallace spoke with SNY.tv about the Nets injury woes, but he was not making any excuses for himself or for any of his teammates.

Thus far this season, Wallace has struggled mightily, but when healthy and engaged, he provides the Nets with a host of intangibles that no other player on the roster provides consistently. Before the Nets took on the Hornets on Tuesday night, Carlesimo, though uncertain about many things about his team, was certain about Wallace.

"Gerald brings 18 things to the table that are as or more important than if he's not shooting the ball well or if he's struggling offensively," he said before the game. "He's so important to us because of the intensity with which he competes and because of his defense."

Wallace responded with one of his best games in quite some time. He ended up with 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting, but he got to the free-throw line nine times and played with the energy and passion that made Brooklyn fall in love with him in the first place. The 11 points he scored was his first double-figure scoring output in a month. The last time Wallace scored in double-figures was back on Feb. 11 when he chipped in a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers.

Defensively, he battled with Anthony Davis and Robin Lopez on the boards and fought over screens and ran with Eric Gordon on the perimeter. That versatility is what the Nets need from Wallace on a consistent basis.

Wallace's supreme effort was epitomized with the game already decided and just 80 seconds left on the clock. With the Nets leading by 11 points, he outhustled both Robin Lopez and Davis for an offensive rebound and earned the Nets an extra possession that they did not even need. Barclays gave him a rousing applause for the effort.

Carlesimo's praise of Wallace must have been an omen, because he was singing his praises after the game, as well.

"Gerald played really well and aggressively," he said. "When Gerald guards you, you're going to have to work for your points and that's what he did," he said in reference to the good defense Wallace played on Gordon.

That final sequence was indicative of the fight and spirit that Wallace played with throughout the night. Afterward, he called the game a "must win," because of the team's disappointing loss in Philadelphia on Monday night. He played like it.

"[The win] was very important," he said. "We felt like we gave that game [at Philadelphia] away. We didn't come prepared... So this was a 'must win' for us."

With Joe Johnson getting the night off to rest his still mending heel ailment, the Nets took a calculated risk by attempting to defeat the Hornets without him. Fortunately, they got this one correct. The Nets managed the 108-98 victory without Johnson and a big reason why was because of Wallace's effort and his 11 points were needed.

"My thing is to be more aggressive and to try to help the team out by scoring more," he said. "My shot isn't falling right now, so the best thing I can do is try and attack the rim and make my free-throws and try to build some confidence offensively."

He played a major role for the Nets tonight, even if his numbers on the box score don't pop out at you. This Wallace can help the Nets win the Atlantic Division, and that remains an attainable goal with the Knicks battling injury issues and the Nets just two games behind them.

The Nets now have four days off before they host the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Carlesimo will give his troops Wednesday and Friday off, but will hold full practices on Thursday and Saturday.

Wallace told SNY.tv that he has not specifically practiced with a unit featuring Andray Blatche and Brook Lopez, but a lineup featuring those two big men is something that we saw Carlesimo employ down the stretch against the Hornets and it's something that we can probably expect to see a bit more of.

Hopefully, for Nets fans, they will see a bit more of "Crash," as well.

Nets, Grizzlies battle for rare consecutive win

5:44PM

Taking satisfaction in the results of games has been difficult to accept for the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets in recent weeks.

Especially the Grizzlies.

Only one team will leave Barclays Center Monday night feeling good about getting a win when the Grizzlies visit the Nets.

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Nets hold on to beat Mavericks, 114-106

Mar 17 | 10:56PM

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(Andy Marlin)

NEW YORK (AP) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 23 points, D'Angelo Russell had 22 and the Brooklyn Nets recovered after blowing a double-digit lead to beat the Dallas Mavericks 114-106 on Saturday night.

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Nets take heartbreaking loss to Sixers, 120-116

Mar 16 | 9:40PM

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(Bill Streicher)

NEW YORK (AP) Jonas Valanciunas had 26 points and 14 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors won their ninth straight and 16th of 17, 116-102 over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Joel Embiid had 24 points and a career-high 19 rebounds and Robert Covington hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 35.4 seconds left to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 120-116 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 21 points for the Nets (21-48), who lost their third straight and 19th in the last 22 games.

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Tonight's game: Nets at 76ers, 7:00 p.m.

Mar 16 | 6:00PM

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(Noah K. Murray)

Brooklyn is coming off a 116-102 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. D'Angelo Russell led all scorers with 32 points -- his second straight game with at least 25 -- and the Nets led at the half, but the Raptors went on a run behind Jonas Valanciunas and handed Brooklyn its third straight loss and 17th in its last 20 games. >> Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Allen Crabbe made his first six 3-point attempts and finished with 29 points and eight rebounds, helping the Brooklyn Nets beat the Charlotte Hornets 125-111 on Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Caris Levert scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebounds to provide a spark off the bench for the Nets. They entered the game tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Kemba Walker had 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting for the Hornets. They've lost five straight games.

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Tonight's game: Nets at Hornets, 7 p.m.

Mar 8 | 6:10PM

Teetering on the edge of playoff elimination following a rugged stretch of four games, the Charlotte Hornets begin a favorable turn in their schedule when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

The Hornets lost for the fourth straight time Tuesday, 128-114 to the Philadelphia 76ers. They are six games behind the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, who are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference and occupy the final two playoff spots.

Those four losses -- while costly -- were hardly unpredictable for Charlotte, which went up against the 76ers twice and Boston and Toronto once apiece over a seven-day span.

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Nets can't contain Curry in 114-101 loss to Warriors

Mar 7 | 12:46AM

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(Jeff Chiu)

For the second time this season, the Nets challenged the defending-champion Warriors. However, just like the first time, Golden State emerged victorious in the end.

Steph Curry rode a hot shooting night, including six made threes, to 34 points as the Warriors held off the Nets, 114-101, at Oracle Arena.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors will seek a 50th win for the fifth consecutive season Tuesday night when they open a two-game homestand against the Brooklyn Nets.

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Nets' latest heartbreak leaves Atkinson baffled: 'We have to do a better job'

Mar 5 | 5:00PM

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(Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Yet another hard-fought comeback crumbled before the eyes of the Nets in their 123-120 road loss to the Clippers Sunday night.

Down virtually the entire game, the Nets battled back from a 15-point deficit at one point to take a commanding 118-110 lead with about two-and-a-half minutes to play. That was all for nothing, though, as the Clippers rallied for a 13-2 run to finish the game, and send the Nets packing without a win.

"Yeah, very discouraging. We couldn't make the plays to put it away," Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson told The Post's Brian Lewis after the loss. "The hardest thing in professional sports is to close out a game. That's where we're at right now with our ability to close it out. We're not there yet. We've been in a lot of games like this. We have to do a better job."

The Nets trailed essentially from the opening tip on Sunday night. Despite an inspired comeback and career-night from Caris LeVert, they finished the night trailing as well.

LeVert scored a career-high 27 points and assisted on five baskets, but the Nets lost to the Clippers, 123-120, after a go-ahead three-pointer by Austin Rivers. The Nets have lost three straight since ending an eight-game losing streak to begin the week.

Nets face playoff-dreaming Clippers on the road

Mar 4 | 5:46PM

Two days after the Los Angeles Clippers took down the team from Manhattan, they will work on conquering the one from Brooklyn.

When the Clippers handled the New York Knicks 128-105 on Friday at Staples Center, it kept them knocking on the door of playoff eligibility in the Western Conference as the division's ninth-place team.

An opportunity against the Nets (20-43) on Sunday could move the Clippers even closer to the playoffs.

Nets come up short against Fox, Kings in 116-111 overtime loss

Mar 2 | 12:01AM

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(AP)

DeMarre Carroll scored 22 points and Jarrett Allen had a career-high 16 points along with a double-double, but it wasn't enough as the Nets fell to the Kings, 116-111, in overtime Thursday night on the West Coast.

Carroll tied the game with a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left in regulation and Spencer Dinwiddie then got to the line to hit two free throws, but De'Aaron Fox forced overtime with a floater as time expired and then proceeded to star in the single period of extra time. Dinwiddie had eight points and five assists in the loss.

The Nets were outscored, 16-11, in overtime. With the loss, the Nets dropped to 20-43 on the season and have now lost 14 of their last 16 games. Brooklyn is 0-5 in overtime games this season.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Neither the Sacramento Kings nor the Brooklyn Nets have been caught up in the controversial conversations concerning the race by the dregs of the NBA to lose games. Yet, neither team seems capable anytime soon of winning more than just an occasional contest.

On Thursday, one of them will have to prevail. The two bottom feeders in their respective conferences face each other at the Golden 1 Center, giving each a chance to add a blip to what has seemed to be endless losing lately.

Sacramento has lost four straight at home, and Brooklyn has dropped seven straight on the road. >> Read more

CLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James scored 31 points and finished a month averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 129-123 on Tuesday night.

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Tonight's game: Nets vs. Cavaliers, 7 p.m.

Feb 27 | 6:15PM

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(Brad Penner)

CLEVELAND -- The Brooklyn Nets represent an important opportunity for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, and not just because of the draft pick.

Nets' Whitehead named in report detailing NCAA benefits

Feb 23 | 8:39AM

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Brooklyn Nets guard Isaiah Whitehead looks on during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. (Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports)

Current Nets and former Seton Hall guard Isaiah Whitehead was listed among numerous current and former college basketball players who reportedly received impermissible benefits and met with an agent while in school, Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde and Pete Thamel report.

The report also lists 2017 draft picks Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith Jr. and Kyle Kuzma, and many other current and former players from schools like Texas, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Whitehead reportedly received $26,136 from the agency ASM Sports while he was a freshman at Seton Hall. Another document says he received $37,657 and was being set up for a payment plan, Yahoo! reports.

Dante Cunningham had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who lost their eighth straight game and fell to 19-41.

D'Angelo Russell, starting for the first time since November knee surgery, scored 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting.

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Atkinson is happy with Nets improvement from last year

Feb 22 | 7:50PM

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Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson coaches against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter at Barclays Center. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

When Sean Marks took over as GM of the Nets two years ago, the outlook was bleak and optimism low. The team had been rinsed of its draft picks for four years thanks to that fateful trade with the Celtics and were one of the worst teams in the league.

Normally, hope exists for all teams, no matter how putrid the on-court product is because at least losing contributes to the chance of drafting a star in the next draft. The Nets, of course, have been devoid of that hope which compounds the losing.

But this season, head coach Kenny Atkinson has earned plaudits, as well as the front office, for making the best they can with what they have. The team has improved, which is all Atkinson is looking for at this stage of the rebuild...

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Tonight's game: Nets at Hornets, 7 p.m.

Feb 22 | 5:35PM

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Jan 27, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson is held back by guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) after being ejected during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports (Brace Hemmelgarn)

The Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets will each feature a new look when they return from the All-Star break to duel Thursday night in Charlotte, N.C.

Star point guard D'Angelo Russell is expected to make his first start for the Nets since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in November.

The team's leading scorer has played 13 games as a reserve under a minutes restriction since returning from his two-month absence.

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LeBron wins MVP en route to All-Star Game victory

Feb 18 | 11:44PM

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Team LeBron forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and forward Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating Team Stephen in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center. (Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports)

LeBron James picked a winner in the NBA All-Star Game.

James scored 29 points and hit the go-ahead layup with 34.5 seconds to play, winning his third All-Star Game MVP award while his hand-picked team rallied to win an uncommonly entertaining showcase, beating Team Stephen 148-145 Sunday night.

Dinwiddie won the NBA Skills Challenge Saturday night, beating three straight opponents in a series of passing and shooting competitions en route to victory. He rallied in the first two rounds to beat Buddy Hield of the Kings and Jamal Murray of the Nuggets respectively. In the final round, Dinwiddie held on to beat Lauri Markkanen of the Bulls.

The win was a full-circle moment for Dinwiddie, who has been all over the place in his young career...

Feb 15 | 11:54AM

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(Andy Marlin)

The Nets frustration continues to boil over, and they won't get to take it out on the court until next week.

They were on the verge of snapping their six-game losing streak against the Pacers Tuesday only to crumble in crunch time to lose 108-103 at Barclays Center. Luckily, their crosstown rival -- New York Knicks -- own the longest losing streak in the league with eight straight games. But after seven straight losses, that is certainly no pat on the back.

"It's frustrating. It sucks that we keep putting ourselves into good situations and we keep coming up short," Allen Crabbe told The Post's Brian Lewis. "We were definitely looking forward to getting this big win going into the All-Star break. Now we've got a week before our next game. Hopefully this break gives us some time to get our minds right, attack this second half of the season really well."

Struggling Nets take on Clippers at home

Feb 12 | 6:00PM

The losses are starting to pile up for the Brooklyn Nets and, locked in a tight race in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers are hoping to be the latest team to win at Barclays Center.

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Nets looking to improve in first half after failed comeback Saturday

Feb 11 | 9:52AM

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(Noah K. Murray)

Calling the Nets' loss to the Pelicans Saturday night a tough one to swallow would be an understatement.

After battling back from a 28-point deficit at one point, the Nets managed to force a tie at 116 at the buzzer for overtime. But it was the ultimate teaser just to fight back and lose 138-128 at the end of the second overtime period.

The Nets thought they had the momentum to snap their four-game losing streak. Instead, it was another night they tasted a win on the tip of their tongue, but could enjoy it in the end.

NEW YORK (AP) Anthony Davis had 44 points and 17 rebounds, Rajon Rondo had a triple-double, and the New Orleans Pelicans recovered after blowing a 28-point lead to beat the Brooklyn Nets 138-128 in two overtimes on Saturday night. >> Read more

NEW YORK -- Since losing DeMarcus Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury, New Orleans has struggled. And against the 76ers on Friday, the Pelicans reached their lowest point since Cousins was injured.

The Pelicans attempt to get going Saturday night when they visit the Brooklyn Nets, who also are struggling.

New Orleans (28-26) will make the short trip after a hideous showing on offense in a 100-82 loss. The Pelicans set a season-low in points and field-goal percentage (34.7) while also scoring 11 points in the third quarter, also a season-low.

Nets acquire F Dante Cunningham in trade with Pelicans

Nets send G Rashad Vaughn to New Orleans

Feb 8 | 2:42PM

Cunningham, 30, has been with the Pelicans the 2014-15 season coming off the bench. This season, he is averaging five points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes.

Prior to his time in New Orleans, the 6-foot-8 forward has spent seasons with the Trail Blazers, Hornets, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves.

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Nets suffer fourth straight loss in 115-106 setback against Pistons

Feb 7 | 9:50PM

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(Rick Osentoski)

DETROIT (AP) Andre Drummond had 17 points and 27 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons extended their winning streak to five with a 115-106 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

Blake Griffin scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter for the Pistons, who have not lost since acquiring him in a trade last week. Griffin will face his old team Friday night when the Los Angeles Clippers are in town.

Allen Crabbe had 19 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter for the Nets. They have lost four in a row and eight of nine. >> Read more

There's been so much chatter about Blake Griffin's impact on the Detroit Pistons that Andre Drummond's accomplishments have gone overlooked.

Drummond was named as an All-Star replacement last week. He was selected as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 19.3 points, 19.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.7 blocks in three victories.

He didn't let up that evening, posting 17 points, 17 rebounds and five assists in a 111-91 victory over Portland. He also did some things that didn't show up on the stat sheet, such as playing solid defense on pick-and-rolls. >> Read more

Rebounding could be key to Nets' success before All-Star break

Feb 5 | 3:32PM

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(Nicole Sweet)

With the Nets looking for ways to dig themselves out of their rut, something as fundamental as rebounding could be the key to success.

The Nets have just five games left before the All-Star break, and they are aiming to reach it on a winning note. However, after dropping six of their last seven, Brooklyn is having issues with their opponents. And things won't be getting any easier as they will face teams like the Rockets and Pistons.

SG Joe Harris knows the team must stay focused on the games ahead and not the break from the court.

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Nets prove to be no match for Bucks in 109-94 loss

Feb 4 | 2:53PM

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GEICO SportsNite: Nets lose00:00:29

Nets coach Kenny Atkinson discusses the Nets' home loss to the Bucks on Sunday, Brooklyn's sixth defeat in its last seven games.

NEW YORK (AP) Eric Bledsoe scored 28 points, John Henson had 19 points and 18 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks easily extended their winning streak over the Brooklyn Nets to 10 games with a 109-94 victory Sunday.

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Today's game: Nets vs. Bucks, 12 p.m.

Feb 4 | 11:00AM

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(Jeff Hanisch)

NEW YORK -- Brooklyn (19-34) has dropped five of six since beating Miami and Detroit on Jan. 19 and 21. The Nets are 10-10 in games decided by five points or fewer after falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 102-99. >> Read More

For the first time since being traded to the Lakers, Brook Lopez returned to Brooklyn to play the Nets. In familiar surroundings, Lopez scored a team-high 19 points on 8-13 shooting.

This season with the Lakers, Lopez is averaging career lows in points (11.8) and minutes (20.8) per game. Lopez admitted it was a little weird being back in Brooklyn, but he felt like he was home.

"It was exciting. It was a little weird, but once it got to it, it was just like playing back home on that court," Lopez said, via Brian Lewis of NY Post. "Most importantly, it was great to get a win. … It was cool coming back seeing the fans. I appreciate them so much, so it was great to see that, and so many people, so many teammates."